The 10 worst games in A-Braves history: April 25, 1977

There was little expected from the ’77 Braves, even after they won 6 of 7 during the season’s second week. These were the Braves, after all, losers of 186 the previous two years.

It wouldn’t be long before they reverted to form, and then some. The Dodgers were the first to puncture the balloon, winning 2 of 3 at Fulco, including a 16-6 victory in the rubber match that saw Braves relievers give up 10 runs.

Knucksie started and didn’t make it out of the first, permitting 6 runs. Enter Jamie Easterly (5.72 ERA, 1.758 WHIP in 6 years as a Brave), who allowed 5 hits and walked 7 in 3-1/3 IP. Eight runs crossed the plate. His replacement, Mike Beard, gave up 9.

Only 3 of those runs were earned, thanks to 6 Braves errors — 2 by former first-round pick Pat Rockett. He’d commit 23 errors in 84 games that year.

It’s not like Cincy’s bats needed the help. George Foster homered twice and drove in 7 runs; Johnny Bench finished with 4 RBI and 4 hits.

The most fascinating stat line of the day belonged to Reds starter Jack Billingham, who allowed 17 hits and 9 runs in 8 innings.

Despite all the runs, hits, errors and walks, the game was completed in 3 hours and 1 minute, about half the time of your typical Red Sox-Yankees tilt.

Fourteen more losses followed the April 25 defeat and the 17-game losing streak remains the worst in team history. You may recall that Game 17 was managed by Ted Turner.